66 thoughts on “The Hugging Tree”

I love the hugging tree! What’s most important is that people recognize it for being such, and are drawn to its symbolism. Hugs are a most beautiful gift – given out freely yet with a touch of vulnerability and strength, all in one. My last great hug was from one of my grandsons (4), who lives on the ‘other’ coast. After a too-short visit a few weeks ago, he hugged me at his level (around my knees) and said loudly, “I’m just going to hug and hug you and never let you go.” My heart twisted and squeezed and I, of course, never wanted him to let me go.

That tree is amazing! I don’t know about THAT kind of hug, but yesterday, we met our daughter’s fiance’s parents for the first time (one of his three sets–it’s complicated). 🙂 Handshakes as we met, but hugs as we all left after lunch. I thought that was nice.

My late mom was well known for hugging anyone she met. Her hugs were warm and filled with love. Miss those hugs so much now.
I learned from Anne Linnea author of the book Keepers of the Trees (stories of folks across North America dedicated to trees) … the “protocol” for tree hugging. Ask for permission first! Then sit and commune with the tree. Old trees have amazing energy.

Audrey — yes, Yes, and YES again! I do all of the above with one exception. I lay on the ground underneath the tree so I can look up at the branches while being grounded on the earth coverings the tree’s roots 🙂

You never cease to amaze me with your many parables from nature. Among the 18 oak trees hugging our house there are 2-3 double trees. Joined at the root, they are Siamese twins clinging to each other for dear life. Your photo is unique. I suppose one of your readers will try to identify the “animal” shape of the hugging tree.

My eldest grandson who is now thirteen and a head taller than me always asks for a “grandma size” hug at some point during my visit. What he gives is a long squeeze hug that is heart to heart affection. I was just visiting on the weekend and decided he likely will not grow out of these hugs. Lucky me 🙂

For me, the safest place in the entire world is in my husband’s arms. When the world comes crashing down around me, his hug buoyeds me up. When the world sings, there’s no better way to celebrate then within his arms.
Thank you for sharing the hugging tree.

I have something of a reputation for my hugs (somewhat like Len I suspect).

Often I have few words that make much sense to others, and I can communicate my empathy by enveloping another in my 7ft span and giving a firm (but not too tight) squeeze – and hold for as long as it seems appropriate – sometimes it may be many minutes, as it often seems to give permission for tears to flow and emotions to release.

Great tree, Laurie. I actually hugged a tree and my grandson at the same time this past weekend. We have a cherry tree in the back yard which I helped Owen climb so that he could see the cherries before the birds swoop in and eat them. My favorite hugs come from Owen and his sister Julia. And the memory of their arms around my neck lingers in the days (like now) just after they are gone.

I read somewhere that if you hug for three whole seconds, your brain releases oxytocin. I believe it!

Laurie, as soon as I saw your hugging tree I wanted to hug it too. The last truly meaningful hug I gave/received was this past Friday. My cousin and good friend Mike had just arrived home from Germany where he had gone to arrange for the remains of his young (20) son-in-law to be returned to Georgia to be interred at the Georgia National Cemetery here in Canton. The young man had been stationed in Germany and was living there with his pregnant wife when he was killed in an auto crash. Mike, a naturally joyous man, had no words to speak for a time, we just hugged until the emotions were leveled out and we could then sit and talk. There are times when a good hug can speak when no words are to be found. (((((Laurie)))))

Sandi – My heart is breaking for the family, friends, and unborn child of the young man who was killed in the accident. Your observation about times when a hug can speak when no worlds can be found is ever-so-true!

Having a tiny little op today just to check I’m in tip top . Not looking forward to it as you can imagine so I’ve hugged the butcher, the baker , the candlestick maker. Anyone I can lay my hands on …I’ve had some very funny looks from my neighbours and seen them run off down the road when they see me approaching , I can’t think why .
Hug a tree for me Laurie.
Cherryx

I just noticed the viburnum on the top of your ‘home page’–absolutely great photo of perhaps the greatest asset of that viburnum–very aristocratic, earned value in its leaves, buds and flowers. A pleasure to look at, thank you.

Tiny — I can hardly wait to get my around around my son. It’s been just over a year since we’ve seen him in person. I’m glad you’ve had the recent opportunity, with another one coming up soon. Mom’s need hugs from their children — grown and otherwise 🙂

I actually have a tree that I hug every day and there is a little kissing spot like a mouth with lips on the bark that I kiss. It is the “witness tree” of my marriage to my husband. I’ve been known to hug on occasion other trees in our forest that have gotten my attention but this is the one that gets hugs from me consistently, almost daily. I always feel that I am hugging the Divine when I do that.

I do appreciate the “character” of the hugging tree photo in your blog.

My favorite human hugs are called melting hugs. One hugs until they feel the other release and then lets them go, does not prolong the hug beyond the other person’s comfort level but does not end the hug prematurely if an extended hug is needed.

Now those are my kind of trees! There are a pair in Mately Wood in the New Forest a little like that and they always make me smile. Mind you, I’m usually lost round about then so seeing them is always a relief!

My little four year old is really into hugging right now. Out of now where I will get a huge hug and I Love You mid playing, mid lecture, mid night time routine, etc. I hold him tight and enjoy theses moments, because I’m not sure when he will decide he is too cool for hugging or for mom.